Geometric remapping with delay lines

Abstract

A signal processing system distributes an input signal over a plurality of shaped signal distribution structures that are interconnected with a plurality of shaped signal pickup units. The signal distribution structures and/or the signal pickup units include delay lines. The shape of the signal distribution structures and the shape of the signal pickup units and the configuration of the interconnections between the shaped structures and the pickup units determine the type of analysis performed on the signals. The signal possessing is distributed across the shaped structures. Input information is diffracted or spread, such that statistical correlations can be found by reconverging the diffracted information. Signals propagated through the system can be a combination of analog, digital and pulse signals. Optionally, feedback is used to amplify or attenuate earlier stages, such that outputs or actions are based on the relative importance of the input signals.

1. A signal distribution tree, comprising:
 an input; 
 a plurality of delay lines, one end of each delay line being connected to the input, the other end of each delay line being connected to an end point, the end points all being disposed such that the end points define a surface; and 
 a signal pickup unit connected to the signal distribution tree, the signal pickup unit comprising:
 an output; and 
 a plurality of signal pickup lines, one end of each signal pickup line being connected to the output, the plurality of signal pickup lines being arranged in a geometric shape, wherein at least one of the signal pickup lines is coupled to at least one of the plurality of delay lines such that a signal can be transferred from the at least one delay line to the at least one signal pickup line. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The signal distribution tree of  claim 1 , wherein the signal pickup unit further comprises a threshold detector connected between the plurality of signal pickup lines and the output, and the threshold detector is configured to generate a signal on the output if at least a predetermined condition is met on one or more of the signal pickup lines. 
     
     
       3. The signal distribution tree of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined condition includes receiving at least a predetermined number of signals over the one or more of the signal pickup lines. 
     
     
       4. The signal distribution tree of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined condition includes receiving at least a predetermined aggregate amount of signal over the one or more of the signal pickup lines. 
     
     
       5. A signal converter for generating a second pixelated image having a second resolution from a first pixelated image having a first resolution, comprising: a first number of signal distribution trees, the first number of signal distribution trees being related to the first resolution, each signal distribution tree being connected to receive a signal from a pixel of the first pixelated image, each signal distribution tree comprising: an input; and a plurality of delay lines, one end of each delay line being connected to the input, the other end of each delay line being connected to an end point, the end points all being disposed such that the end points define a surface; a second number of signal pickup units, the second number of signal pickup units being related to the second resolution, each signal pickup unit contributing to a pixel of the second pixelated image, each signal pickup unit comprising: an output; and a plurality of signal pickup lines, one end of each signal pickup line being connected to the output, the plurality of signal pickup lines being arranged in a geometric shape, wherein at least one of the signal pickup lines is coupled to at least one of the delay lines of at least one of the signal distribution trees such that a signal can be transferred from the at least one delay line to the at least one signal pickup line. 
     
     
       6. The signal converter of  claim 5 , wherein the surface is at least part of a hemisphere and the geometric shape is at least part of a hemisphere. 
     
     
       7. A signal processor for detecting a point, comprising: a first plurality of first sensors in a sensor array and arranged in a first circle; a second plurality of second sensors in the sensor array and arranged in a second circle that is concentric with the first circle, sizes of the first and second circles corresponding to diameters of two Airy rings on the sensor array; a plurality of signal distribution trees arranged in an array, each signal distribution tree being coupled to a first or a second sensor, each signal distribution tree comprising: an input; and a plurality of delay lines, one end of each delay line being connected to the input, the other end of each delay line being connected to an end point, the end points all being disposed such that the end points define a surface; and at least one signal pickup unit interdigitated with at least one of the signal distribution trees, each signal pickup unit comprising; an output; and a plurality of signal pickup lines, one end of each signal pickup line being connected to the output, the plurality of signal pickup lines being arranged in a geometric shape, wherein at least one of the signal pickup lines is coupled to at least one of the delay lines of at least one of the signal distribution trees such that a signal can be transferred from the at least one delay line to the at least one signal pickup line. 
     
     
       8. The signal processor of  claim 7 , wherein each signal pickup unit further comprises a threshold detector connected between the plurality of signal pickup lines and the output, and the threshold detector is configured to generate a signal on the output if at least a predetermined condition is met on one or more of the signal pickup lines. 
     
     
       9. The signal distribution tree of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined condition includes receiving at least a predetermined number of signals over the one or more of the signal pickup lines. 
     
     
       10. The signal distribution tree of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined condition includes receiving at least a predetermined aggregate amount of signal over the one or more of the signal pickup lines. 
     
     
       11. In an optical apparatus in which first signals within a first range of wavelengths and second signals within a second range of wavelengths are refracted by different amounts, an array of sensors, comprising: a first plurality of sensors disposed along a first circle, each first sensor being sensitive to signals in the first range of wavelengths; and a second plurality of sensors disposed along a second circle, each second sensor being sensitive to signals in the second range of wavelengths; and wherein: the second circle is smaller than the first circle by an amount that corresponds to the difference in diffraction of the first and second signals in the optical apparatus; and signals from the first and second sensors are processed as though the first and second sensors were disposed along a common circle. 
     
     
       12. A signal processor for detecting a moving object, comprising: a plurality of ordered signal distribution lines, each signal distribution line being a delay line, each delay line being tapped at a point isochronal from the beginning of the delay line; a signal pickup line comprising a multi-tapped delay line connected to the plurality of signal distribution lines such that successive taps of the signal pickup line are coupled to the isochronal taps of the signal distribution line in order; and a threshold detector connected to an output of the signal pickup line and configured to produce a signal if at least a predetermined condition is met on the signal pickup line. 
     
     
       13. The signal processor of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined condition includes receiving at least a predetermined number of signals over the signal pickup line. 
     
     
       14. The signal processor of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined condition includes receiving at least a predetermined aggregate amount of signal over the signal pickup line.